Minister – Eastern Corridor road to be ready by end of 2020

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has said the government is working to ensure that the entire stretch of the Eastern Corridor road would be completed by the end of Nana Akufo-Addo’s first term.

Mr. Amoako-Atta was addressing Chiefs from South Dayi, North Dayi, Ho, Ho West, Kpando, Hohoe and Afadjato South, on day two of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s tour of the Volta Region where he gave the assurance.

He said there was going to be “a renewed effort that will be sustained to work on the Eastern Corridor.”

“It is the determination of His Excellency, the President, that by the end of the first term, the entire stretch of the Eastern Corridor will see the light of day, and I want to assure that it is receiving the attention of government.”

Seven different contractors having been awarded different contracts on different sections of the road over the years.

Currently, the Minister explained that COCOBOD is funding the Have-Hohoe Lots 1&2 (51.3km), and Hohoe-Jasikan (32km) stretches of the road.

These sections have run into difficulties, as payments by COCOBOD have been suspended.

The section from Dodo Pepesu to Nkwanta was funded by an EU loan of a little over 20 million Euros.

“As I speak to you, Togbe, Nananom [Chiefs], that road (Dodo Pepesu to Nkwanta) is in a very terrible condition. The other sections, which are being worked on by other contractors, suffered delayed payments and were abandoned,” Mr. Amoako-Atta said.

“We have therefore packaged the areas that have never been done. We have put those areas under a facility called Sinohydro facility, and these areas cover the areas of Have to Hohoe and from Oti-Damanko to Gbinitri (168km). All the others are being repackaged, and arrangements are being made to send all the 6 contractors back to work,” he assured.

In addition, the Roads Minister said other roads in the region would be attended to.

“I am happy to inform you that, within the Hohoe area, five (5) of your roads have been selected, and within the next 2 months, contractors are mobilizing and will come to site. Togbe oo, Mava oo, please be assured that your roads are receiving the attention, just as any other roads in our country,”he added.